Pilot “died doing something he loved,” brother says

LONGMONT, Colo. — As investigators continue to try and figure out why two planes collided in mid-air on Friday in Longmont, the family of the pilot who died in one of the crashes visited the site where the plane crashed.

Ryan Brungardt’s parents and his brother Travis stood in silence as they reflected on the site where Ryan’s plane crashed Friday in Longmont off County Line Road. It’s also the place where the 30-year-old flight instructor was killed.

“There wasn’t nothing he couldn’t do with an airplane,” said Travis Brungardt, Ryan’s brother.

The plane wreckage is gone, but Ryan’s family still felt they needed to see the site because they said Ryan’s passion was flying.

“His whole life was his wife and flying those planes. I could never understand it. I like being on the ground,” said Travis.

Yet, despite their differences, Travis said he and his younger brother were close. He said he actually looked up to Ryan.

“He was the little brother so I always thought that I you know took care of him, he’s actually the one who took care of me,” Travis said.

As Travis said goodbye to his brother at the site where he died, he said he was also happy that at least his brother died doing something he loved, flying.

Ryan had a commercial pilot certificate and was also a certified flight instructor. He was flying with 64-year-old Edward Omohundro when the plane crashed. Both men died.